Three years ago, Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Chief Rosanne Casimir shocked the nation by confirming the discovery of the remains of 215 children who were students at the Kamloops Indian Residential School.
This revelation sparked widespread outrage, leading to demonstrations, government apologies, and significant financial investments in investigating alleged burials of residential school children. The aftermath saw a wave of church vandalism and destruction as well as a national day for Truth and Reconciliation being established.
Despite the passage of time and allocated funds, no excavation has been conducted at the Kamloops residential school site. Questions linger about the use of funds and the lack of progress in uncovering the truth about what happened there.
While Chief Casimir initially referred to the graves as “anomalies,” it has become evident that no bodies have been found. The lack of evidence raises doubts about the alleged mass murders and secret burials at the school.
Contrary to other sites where ground-penetrating radar led to excavations, no human remains were found at places like the Camsell Hospital site in Edmonton or a former residential school site in Manitoba. This discrepancy raises concerns about the accuracy of oral history and radar technology.
The ongoing speculation and lack of concrete evidence at the Kamloops site suggest that the truth may not align with the prevailing narrative. Despite substantial government funding for investigations, some individuals seem to profit from perpetuating myths rather than seeking factual closure.
Activists pushing unsubstantiated claims of incinerated or disposed bodies further complicate the search for truth and reconciliation. The focus should be on conducting thorough investigations to uncover the reality of what transpired at residential schools.
Only by uncovering the truth and facilitating excavations can Canada hope to move forward and heal from the wounds of its residential school history. The need for transparency and unbiased investigations is paramount in addressing this sensitive issue.
